Layout Design Software

Ken uses AnyRail software.

Thanks DoubleDAZ.

Does AnyRail software provide the capability of specifying a dimension (e.g., 60 inches - 180 degree turn) and the software "find and populate" the design with the required fastrack sections? Or does the user, by "trial and error" create the 180 degree curve?

AFAIK, trial and error, but I haven’t used AnyRail that much, so I could be wrong. I think if you blow up the photo of the layout, you’ll see they really only look concentric. FWIW, you can install the free version of AnyRail and reproduce the curves to see for yourself. The free version allows a limited number of tracks, but should be enough for you to reproduce the configuration Ken used by following the color-code legend.

I'm not familiar with the article... but, the measurement for curved sections of track is from center rail to center rail.  You need at a minimum about 3 inches on each side for clearance...  is it possible that he was using O48 on the outside and O36 on the inside?

Unfortunately, "manufacturer's" Oxx measurements for curve track are not consistent.  While most use "center rail to center rail", for some larger curve sizes, the measurement may be "outside rail to outside rail."  Fortunately, the track planning software (AnyRail, SCARM, RR-Track, XtrkCAD, etc.) available takes this info into account.

As far as blending curves, you can mix any size with any other size AS LONG AS the total degree of curvature from your choices meets you goal.  For example, for a 180 degree curve (a half circle), you can mix 2 O31 curves with 2 O42 curves because each piece creates 45 degrees of a curve (4 x 45 degrees = 180 degrees).  In fact, if your curve is laid out as O42-O31-O31-O42, your limiting size is O31, but you have created an artificial easement into and out of that curve making it easier for trains to pass.

Hope this helps.

Chuck

@Dennis-LaRock posted:

I'm not familiar with the article... but, the measurement for curved sections of track is from center rail to center rail.  You need at a minimum about 3 inches on each side for clearance...  is it possible that he was using O48 on the outside and O36 on the inside?

No, the inside is all O-48 and the outer is a combination of O-48, O-60 and O-72, including half and quarter pieces. There’s a color-coded legend, but it doesn’t specify the half/quarter pieces, you have to figure that out from the photo, which isn’t all that easy. I don’t know if the AnyRail file is available online.

Dave,

Thanks!  Got it!   I use SCARM for layout computer aided design.   It has libraries of most (if not all) of the major track manufacturers sectional pieces.  It's free up to 50 or so pieces.  I'm pretty sure that Any Rail has a similar library and limited free user intro package.  The difference is primarily user preference comfort and familiarity with the user interface... i.e., I started with SCARM and stuck with it.   I doubt there is much (if, any) of one over the other... even with Ken using AnyRail.

Here’s a little history for you. I started with RR-Track in 2012, upgraded to v5 when it was released, but gradually learned SCARM shortly after that when I saw Moonman was helping folks fix their designs and I joined in. The big draw for me was the 3D simulation feature, far better than the one in RRT. SCARM was free at the time and that lasted about 3 years or so. Then Milen decided to release v1.0 and get paid for his efforts. He kept a free version for 100 pieces and started charging for the full version. By that time I was using SCARM full time, even did some testing of new/expanded features for him. I still have RRT, but also have the free version of AnyRail for those occasions when someone needs help trying to figure out how to do something with it. Those of us who have used SCARM over the years freely share our SCARM files so others can make changes to suit their needs. Ken used to post designs in the forum, mostly for small spaces, but I don’t remember many files being shared and now he has a regular column in the ORG magazine. A few others use AnyRail, but mostly the limited free version. Occasionally someone will post RRT and AnyRail files, but SCARM remains the most popular.

Thanks again for your replys and input - especially the history by DoubleDAZ. My direct experience is limited and only with the free version of SCARM but i am now ready to move to another platform even if there is a fee. Since I am already familar with SCARM's user interface, and based on your helpful inputs, I will continue in the direction of fee based SCRAM.

I am familiar with configration software used for Industrial products. Therefore, I posted above what might be considered a "hoped for" question/answer. Phrased slightly different - that question was - is the software "smart enough" to provide the capability of the user specifying a dimension (e.g., 60 inches - O60 - 180 degree turn) and the software "find and populate" the design with the required fastrack sections that would provide the best fit as an answer? I realize this is folly - but hoping. Thanks DoubleDAZ for your answer - No

I have checked SCARM's website for license key cost/fee and in comparing this to licenses I have for other software products (e.g,.Microsoft 365 - Adobe Photoshop Elements) I have some quetions. The current SCRAM license fee is $44.90 USD. My questions are as follows:

• Is this current price ($44.90 USD) a one time fee or a subscription fee (i.e., is a yearly renewal fee charged)?
• If a one time fee, and a new version of SCRAM is released, does the original one time license fee cover upgrade to a newer version as well or does it require an upgrade fee?
• As products change (e.g., Fastrack additions or changes) does SCARM follow these changes or is this considered a new version?
• Perhaps these answers are on the web but it was not immediately apparent to me.

Thanks for all your support.

Improvements or modifications to track libraries have been free in the past.  In fact, the vendor has been very cooperative when users noticed some minor problems with track geometry.  The license fee is not an annual charge, but since we are still on v1.9 (as far as I know), there have been no additional charges as we moved up from v1.0.

However, nobody knows what the vendor is planning right now.  So, if a version 2.0 comes out in a few months with some new and exciting features, there might be an upgrade fee.  Note also that there is a separate charge for the virtual run package which lets you test how the layout will operate before actually building it.

Chuck

@Kiana posted:

My questions are as follows:

• Is this current price ($44.90 USD) a one time fee or a subscription fee (i.e., is a yearly renewal fee charged)?
• If a one time fee, and a new version of SCRAM is released, does the original one time license fee cover upgrade to a newer version as well or does it require an upgrade fee?
• As products change (e.g., Fastrack additions or changes) does SCARM follow these changes or is this considered a new version?
• Perhaps these answers are on the web but it was not immediately apparent to me.

Thanks for all your support.

The $45 one-time fee is for SCARM. There is also an MTS, Model Train Simulator, extension that has to be installed separately. The Starter Edition is free and includes 1 engine and 10 cars. The Power Edition is $30 and gets you 5 engines and 50 cars. You can uncouple cars, operate switches, etc.

Fee covers updates, but I don’t know if that will include a v2.0. If it doesn’t, I’ll be surprised if current users don’t get a discount, just like other software. It’s currently v1.9, so who know what v2.0 will bring, or when.

SCARM arguably has the best support, it’s author is a member here and answers questions very quickly. He keeps up with changes and added the Menard’s track to the library soon after it was introduced, no added fee. He is very quick to fix to errors when and if any are found.

Obviously, I’m a big fan of SCARM.

Thanks, DoubleDAZ, for your great responses. I purchased and downloaded the latest version yesterday (07/26/2022) and opened the file I created with the free version and followed the SCRAM directions for download.

Although I followed all SCARM directions for the download, I did encounter a download problem. I received a Microsoft notification that I needed "Administrator Privileges,” on my own laptop, to complete “overwrite/upgrade” of the existing "old" file. To shorten the story – after messing with file properties – I simply uninstalled the old free version and successfully downloaded the latest version without issues.

Your description of the MTS module is an interesting extension, and the trial version will satisfy my current needs.

Glad you got it working.

FWIW, when you right-click on an .exe file, there’s usually an option to “Run as an administrator”.

Thanks for that great tip.